Lower Extremity Problem, Movement, Abnormal
Conditions
Brief summary
The purpose of this investigation is to compare the effects of a combined hip activation and core stabilization training home exercise program (HEP) versus a hip activation training HEP alone on lower extremity (LE) frontal plane mechanics in healthy individuals. Specific Aim 1: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on the Forward Step-Down test (FSDT) when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP as compared to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 2: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on the peak external knee abduction moment when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 3: To determine whether between- and/or within-group differences exist on gluteal and core muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) when comparing a combined hip activation and core stabilization training HEP to a hip activation training HEP. Specific Aim 4: To determine whether a dose-response relationship exists between HEP compliance and change on the FSDT, peak external knee abduction moment, and sEMG.
Interventions
OTHERHip activation home exercise program
The hip activation HEP group will receive a combination of hip musculature activation exercises used by previous researchers that show an increase in hip muscle recruitment. Each participant will perform their respective intervention program at home twice weekly for eight weeks.
OTHERHip activation plus core stabilization home exercise program
The hip activation plus core stabilization HEP group will receive the same hip exercises, plus core stabilization exercises used by previous researchers. Each participant will perform their respective intervention program at home twice weekly for eight weeks.
Sponsors
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Investigator)
Masking description
The PI who will be performing the data analysis will be blinded to participants' random group allocation. The other investigators who will be collecting the outcome data will know the group allocation.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
22 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Participants will be current first- or second-year Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students in the School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) at Louisiana State University Health Shreveport over the age of 21.
Exclusion criteria
* Current pain or pathology in either LE which currently limits their ability to perform the FSDT or drop landing task, a history of low back pain in the last three months, known pregnancy, as pregnancy is a risk factor for diastasis rectus abdominis (DRA) which may be exacerbated by participation in the intervention and could be a confounding variable, and current participation in other clinical trials.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Step Down Test (FSDT) | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Rating on the FSDT (0-6; 0-1 = good movement quality, 2-3 = moderate movement quality, 4 or more = poor movement quality). |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mean activation of GMax via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Mean activation (% MVIC) of GMax during performance of the FSDT |
| Peak activation of GMax via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Peak activation (%MVIC) of GMax during performance of the FSDT |
| MVIC via sEMG of gluteus medius (GMed) | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | MVIC (microvolts) of GMed during performance of the FSDT |
| Mean activation of GMed via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Mean activation (% MVIC) of GMed during performance of the FSDT |
| Peak activation of GMed via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Peak activation (% MVIC) of GMed during performance of the FSDT |
| Maximal volitional isometric contraction (MVIC) via sensory electromyography (sEMG) of gluteus maximus (GMax) | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | MVIC (microvolts) of GMax during performance of the FSDT |
| Mean activation of TA via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Mean activation (% MVIC) of TA during performance of the FSDT |
| Peak activation of TA via sEMG | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Peak activation (% MVIC) of TA during performance of FSDT |
| Peak external knee abduction moment during drop landing task | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | Kinetic assessment of the peak external knee abduction moment (Nm/kg) during the drop landing task |
| Compliance with Home Exercise Program | Post-eight week intervention | Self-reported completion of each HEP session will be recorded by the participant and then returned to the investigators post-completion |
| MVIC via of transversus abdominis (TA) | Pre- and post-eight week intervention | MVIC (microvolts) of TA during performance of the FSDT |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed